Politicians urged to object to Bath Tesco superstore scheme
Planning officers are urging politicians to object to a £50 million Tesco superstore scheme for Bath.
The final decision on the project planned for the old Bath Press site in Lower Bristol Road now rests with a Government-appointed inspector.
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But officials at Bath and North East Somerset Council say the scheme for a superstore, housing and offices should be rejected because of the traffic disruption it would cause and the damaging effect it would have on shops at nearby Moorland Road.
The authority’s development control committee meets next Wednesday to discuss developer St James’s Investments’s scheme, and arrive at agreement on its stance on the proposals.
The issue has been taken out of the council’s hands because SJI has appealed to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles’s department over the length of time B&NES has taken to deal with the scheme.
SJI has submitted two planning applications for the site, the first in August 2010 which is still active, and a second in June this year.
The firm - which has been critical of the council’s handling of its application - has appealed over the non-determination of the second plan, sending the issue to a public inquiry.
B&NES officials say in a report to next week’s meeting that the application should have been thrown out because:
* it would aggravate congestion at the “critical” Lower Bristol Road/Windsor Bridge Road/Brook Road junction
* it is too close to the Windsor Bridge gasholder site - despite an offer from SJI to help pay the costs of moving this
* it would have “an unacceptable and harmful impact” on shops in Moorland Road.
Concern over the knock-on effect on the junction is shared by managers at the Royal United Hospital, who have objected to the scheme because they fear ambulances will be delayed.
The application is also opposed by Sainsbury’s, which has its own expansion plans at Green Park as well as a supermarket in Moorland Road, and the Co-op, which has a store in Shaftesbury Road.
Fifty individuals have also objected, along with conservation groups.
No date has yet been set for a public inquiry.
94 Comments
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by rogerh3
Monday, January 16 2012, 4:47PM
“Tesco calls time on megastores after profit warning shock
http://tinyurl.com/7brve64”
by rogerh3
Monday, January 16 2012, 4:44PM
“My understanding is that it's the really big out-of-town stores that have under-performed most and face being cut back. Not that this looks like having been a particularly good choice of site. Maybe Tesco should fire someone at St James's Investments.”
by airhellair
Monday, January 16 2012, 3:05PM
“.....You're not the only one with ideas about transport, you know..."
Oh? There are others? just point me in their direction and I'll see the blighters/esses off!
Wish I shared your tescoptimism, pompeybelle. They expanded a couple of London stores into 'extras' during a period they were complaining about their 'market share' - http://tinyurl.com/78nfghe”
by Pompeybelle
Monday, January 16 2012, 2:44PM
“Strangely enough, anil, that had crossed my mind which is why I put it up. You're not the only one with ideas about transport, you know. But since, as I said, in the light of tesco's latest difficulties, I think the chances of the plug being pulled on this are very high, then all this is irrelevant.”
by airhellair
Monday, January 16 2012, 2:18PM
“The Tesco at Reading has a mooring for people on boats coming up the Thames..."
Not a bad idea pbelle. If the river could be diverted or a diversion made, the proposed new tesco could have the same. That may well quieten some of the 'traffic moaners'.”
by Pompeybelle
Monday, January 16 2012, 12:57PM
“The Tesco at Reading has a mooring for people on boats coming up the Thames. I just thought I'd throw that into the whirlpool of irrelevant comments washing around here.”
by bath1946
Monday, January 16 2012, 6:18AM
“Chidley, you are correct in saying that most of the contributions to this site are a load of spherical shaped objects. This is because the excellent planning officers' report objecting to the application was comprehensive, scathing, and pithy.”
by airhellair
Monday, January 16 2012, 2:00AM
“JC - if I had clockwork buses, they would be worth a fortune - http://tinyurl.com/7lkf6cj
For the timebeing, I'll leave those to Boris -http://tinyurl.com/6g32jhf
Free buses may not be the answer to traffic chaos. First could enhance or reroute local buses to serve the proposed new tesco, but being Last at initiative, they probably won't. They missed an ideal opportunity at temple mead's multiplex complex some years ago. At one of the biggest tescos in SE london's surrey quays, all buses call in at the store. They use a purpose-built bus lane that cuts through the car park - http://tinyurl.com/7qw9ral”
by GordonTracey
Sunday, January 15 2012, 11:26PM
“Personally not enthused by this, 2,000 new homes plus a huge Tesco seems a recipe for traffic chaos. Full credit to June, she made her opposition clear before the election and has stuck by her pledge. Dodgy Don - Take note. Still, might get a few free buses running to keep our dear friend Anil happy. Bet he has clockwork ones at home as he loves buses and wind ups.”
by capndave
Sunday, January 15 2012, 10:56PM
“I like the Co-op. Just don't like the stuff they sell.
Milks a bit lack lustre, bread and cakes awful, fruit and veg is always Class II, meat's pretty ropey and generally contains a lot of water. Their own brand produce is all a bit iffy, and their take away sarnies are to die for, sorry from, they really are grim.
Wine's are not too bad, newspapers are genuine, but magazine collection's pretty poor, as is their greeting card selection.
Other than that I like the Co-op.”